Subjunctive: Part VII

In Part I, you learned that the subjunctive mood is used whenever the speaker feels uncertain about the action of the sentence, or when the speaker is expressing a subjective opinion.

In Parts II – IV, you learned all the rules for conjugating regular verbs in the present subjunctive.

In this lesson, you will simply practice another of the many ways the subjunctive is used: after certain impersonal expressions.

Here is a list of common impersonal expressions that introduce an aspect of uncertainty or subjectivity, and therefore trigger the use of the subjunctive. You will notice that there is some overlap with other lessons. That is, you may see some of these impersonal expressions in other subjunctive lessons, as well.

conviene que …

it is advisable that …

es aconsejable que …

it is advisable that …

es bueno que …

it’s good that …

es difícil que …

it’s unlikely that …

es dudoso que …

it’s doubtful that …

es fácil que …

it’s likely that …

es fantástico que …

it’s fantastic that …

es importante que …

it’s important that …

es imposible que …

it’s impossible that …

es improbable que …

it’s unlikely that …

es incierto que …

it’s uncertain that …

es increíble que …

it’s incredible that …

es (una) lástima que …

it’s a shame that …

es malo que …

it’s bad that …

es mejor que …

it’s better that …

es menester que …

it’s necessary that …

es necesario que …

it’s necessary that …

es posible que …

it’s possible that …

es preciso que …

it’s necessary that …

es preferible que …

it’s preferable that …

es probable que …

it’s likely that …

es raro que …

it’s rare that …

es ridículo que …

it’s ridiculous that …

es terrible que …

it’s terrible that …

más vale que …

it’s better that …

ojalá que …

if only he would …

puede ser que …

it could be that …

Remember, there are also impersonal expressions that trigger the use of the indicative mood, since they introduce a quality of certainty or objectivity. Here’s a partial list of such expressions that we will mix into the practice exercises for this lesson, just to keep you on your toes!

es evidente que …

it is certain that …

es obvio que …

it is obvious that …

es verdad que …

it’s true that …

no es dudoso que …

it is not doubtful that …

no hay duda que …

there is no doubt that …

Let’s add a flashcard for some impersonal expressions that trigger the use of the subjunctive: